An environment agency is proposing a radical plan to cut carbon emissions in the region’s capital with the introduction of a tax on diesel and petrol powered vehicles.
Drivers would need to pay £1 a day to enter a designated zone in central Dumfries unless they are travelling in an electric or hybrid vehicle.
And the scheme would include all taxis and buses which could lead to a surcharge being introduced on fares for passengers.
The move is being proposed by The Environment Agency of Scotland East – based in Edinburgh – in response to the region declaring a climate emergency last year.
It is suggesting the creation of an ultra low emission zone in Dumfries as a six month pilot project.
And, if successful, the scheme could be rolled out across the region.
A spokesperson for the agency said: “It may prove unpopular initially but we are confident that drivers will gradually realise the sense behind the proposal.
“Hopefully it will encourage people to think more about how they travel around the town and adopt a more environmentally aware approach in their daily lives.”
Cameras would be erected on the main approaches to the town equipped with registration plate reading technology to enable those entering the designated zone to be charged the fee.
The agency has already secured an agreement with DVLA, the national vehicle licensing authority, to enable it to identify vehicles and establish if they are electric or fuelled by diesel or petrol.
As an introductory offer drivers would be given the opportunity to buy a discounted monthly pass for entering the designated zone.
Alternatively drivers would be charged £1 a day but can enter the zone with no limit, initially.
The radical move has been welcomed by climate campaigners who insist it will play a small, but important part, in the drive to cut carbon emissions.
But the proposal has been met with anger by taxi drivers in the town.
One, Joe Kerr, told the Standard: “Things are difficult enough in the current climate without some central belt based agency bringing in yet more charges for business and customers.
“Fuel costs are going through the roof and now we are expected to tell customers that they have to pay a surcharge to take
them to the pub or to get their shopping in
Dumfries. It’s just not on.
